The team from the National Asbestos Helpline and Birchall Blackburn Law pulled up their lycra shorts and pulled on their Santa hats for the Christmas challenge.

Outside our offices in Chester Business Park, the team took turns to power the fairy lights on a six-foot tree using only pedal power from 7am to 7pm.

The seasonal cycle has raised more than £500 and counting for the vital cancer care centres in Wirral and Swansea.

Maggie’s provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, Maggie’s Centres are extraordinary places with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need.

Lucia Osmond, Centre Fundraising Manager from Maggie’s Swansea Centre explains “As a local charity, Maggie’s Swansea relies solely on donations and fundraising events such as this 12-hour electricity generating bike ride to continue developing our unique, high quality programme of support, offering the best support possible to anyone affected by cancer, their family and friends across South and West Wales. We are really grateful to National Asbestos and Birchall Blackburn Law for their support and I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and I know everyone at Maggie’s greatly appreciates their efforts.”

Sasha Mathias, Centre Fundraising Manager at Maggie’s Merseyside says: “Well done to the team on completing their electricity bike ride challenge – it’s such a great festive achievement! Maggie’s relies solely on the generosity of people and we are extremely grateful to our wonderful supporters at National Asbestos and Birchall Blackburn Law for all their efforts. It’s only with their help that we can continue to offer our unique programme of cancer support. Their fundraising success will have a great positive impact within Maggie’s Merseyside.”

Jan Garvey, from the National Asbestos Helpline, says: “Maggie’s Centres are wonderful places and they provide such important support for families living with cancer. We really do feel strongly about the work they do and we would have cycled another 12 hours if asked!”

Craig Howell, a partner at Birchall Blackburn Law, says: “It was such a great team effort and well worth sore legs and the uncomfortable bike seat. We needed a warm bath and soft cushions afterwards. We must thank family, friends and colleagues who sponsored us and all the donations we received from our neighbouring offices – despite the 12-hours of Christmas songs we played in the car park for motivation!”

Maggie’s Swansea was built in 2011 in the grounds of Singleton Hospital close to the main road, Sketty Lane. Maggie’s Merseyside is based within the grounds of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral. It was first built as a temporary centre, but due to its popularity, work on a permanent centre will start soon.

You can still donate to the team’s pedal power Christmas tree lights challenge here.

For more information about Maggie’s Merseyside or Maggie’s Swansea or where the nearest Maggie’s Centre is go to www.maggiescentres.org.